A compact drive unit is predominantly intended for traction vehicles, especially for rail vehicles. This invention allows significant reduction of volume and weight of drive units. The drive unit comprises high-speed electrical motor (1) with passive cooling, which is supplied by power electronics converter (2), whose rotor is supported by bearings (3) along with pinion gear (4) of the input spur/helical gear (5). The output shaft (6) of the gear (5) is a part of the next following gear (7). Output shaft of this gear (7) can be connected either directly or by using the coupling (12) to the axle (8) of the traction vehicle, or to the wheel (9). Alternatively, in case the higher transmission ratio is required, it can be connected to another gears (10), where the output shaft of the gears (10) is connected to the wheel (9), or to the axle (8) of the traction vehicle directly or by using the coupling (12). The drive unit can be equipped with brake (13).

Various methods and systems are provided for a braking system. In one example, a braking arrangement comprising a dead lever comprising a protrusion offset toward a live lever and a slack adjuster.

A method includes estimating, as a function of an angular speed of wheels of an axle of a vehicle, a value of adhesion of a contact area of the wheels of said axle to a route, and calculating a value of slip of the wheels of said axle. The method also includes generating signals representative of a derivative of said adhesion as a function of the slip of the wheels of said axle, and calculating an error signal as a difference between a value of said derivative and a predetermined reference value. The method includes generating, via an adaptive filter that implements a Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm, a driving signal based on said derivative. The LMS algorithm is continuously adapted based on the error signal to reduce and keep the error signal substantially at zero. The method includes applying said driving signal to a torque control module.

A system for waking up a dormant car control device of rail car braking system that provides a sufficient wake up voltage in response to pressurization of the brake pipe of the transit car. A supercapacitor is used to output a predetermined voltage when a pressure switch responsive to a source of brake pipe pressure moves to a closed position in response to a charging of the brake system. A first circuit boosts the predetermined voltage of the supercapacitor and energized the contacts of a relay that can selectively provide the boosted voltage to an input of a car control device. A second circuit controls the relay to select when boosted voltage should be provided to the input of a car control device. A third circuit selectively provides power to the first and second circuits based on whether the car control device should receive the boosted voltage.

The present application relate to a follow-up mechanism and a brake caliper unit for gauge-changeable bogie, the follow-up mechanism includes a follow-up connector, unlocking members that are located on two sides of the follow-up connector and movably connected to the follow-up connector, a transverse displacement recognition device movably connected to the unlocking members, a toothed locking and positioning device mounted on the follow-up connector, and at least two mutually parallel fixation members; the follow-up connector is in sliding fit with the fixation members, and sliders are fixedly connected at ends of the unlocking members; the toothed locking and positioning device is movably connected to the transverse displacement recognition device and fixation members, respectively; the brake caliper unit comprises a mounting bracket, the follow-up mechanism, and a brake actuator mounted on the mounting bracket, the follow-up mechanism is installed in cooperation with the brake actuator, and the fixation members are fixedly mounted on the mounting bracket. The present application can automatically recognize the orbit change of a train, the follow-up mechanism moves with a wheel by means of its stored elastic force and the unlocking members, and can self-locked at the target gauge position, thus realizing the change in position.

The present application relate to a follow-up mechanism and a brake caliper unit for gauge-changeable bogie, the follow-up mechanism includes a follow-up connector, unlocking members that are located on two sides of the follow-up connector and movably connected to the follow-up connector, a transverse displacement recognition device movably connected to the unlocking members, a toothed locking and positioning device mounted on the follow-up connector, and at least two mutually parallel fixation members; the follow-up connector is in sliding fit with the fixation members, and sliders are fixedly connected at ends of the unlocking members; the toothed locking and positioning device is movably connected to the transverse displacement recognition device and fixation members, respectively; the brake caliper unit comprises a mounting bracket, the follow-up mechanism, and a brake actuator mounted on the mounting bracket, the follow-up mechanism is installed in cooperation with the brake actuator, and the fixation members are fixedly mounted on the mounting bracket. The present application can automatically recognize the orbit change of a train, the follow-up mechanism moves with a wheel by means of its stored elastic force and the unlocking members, and can self-locked at the target gauge position, thus realizing the change in position.

A method for operating a tractive vehicle and a vehicle combination are disclosed. A tractive vehicle includes a first friction brake device for generating a first stopping braking-force, a traction device for generating a tractive force and a control device for controlling at least the traction device. The method includes a step whereby the traction device is activated if a first undesired kinematic state is detected. Activation of the traction device would take place in such a way that a tractive force, counteracting the first undesired kinematic state, is generated and provided for deceleration to a standstill and/or for holding the tractive vehicle at a standstill.

A rail coaster operates as a cross between a roller coaster and a zip line. A rail may be suspended under a frame by flexible cables or solid brackets. The rail may turn, incline, decline, or twist, but need not twist to still provide a “rolling” degree of freedom for a rider. An eddy current brake provides proportional braking as a function of speed. A cam-adjustment-axle (eccentric) carries certain wheels to provide finely divided, discrete, but incrementally small adjustments of idler wheel clearances to accommodate variations in the rail, wheel wear, and onsite adjustment of tolerances for curvature, unevenness, and friction. A “static universal” bracket provides adjustment in four degrees of freedom, three of translation and one of rotation in securing a rail to a supporting frame.

A rail coaster operates as a cross between a roller coaster and a zip line. A rail may be suspended under a frame by flexible cables or solid brackets. The rail may turn, incline, decline, or twist, but need not twist to still provide a “rolling” degree of freedom for a rider. An eddy current brake provides proportional braking as a function of speed. A cam-adjustment-axle (eccentric) carries certain wheels to provide finely divided, discrete, but incrementally small adjustments of idler wheel clearances to accommodate variations in the rail, wheel wear, and onsite adjustment of tolerances for curvature, unevenness, and friction. A “static universal” bracket provides adjustment in four degrees of freedom, three of translation and one of rotation in securing a rail to a supporting frame.

Various methods and systems are provided for an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. In one example, a system for a vehicle having a main power unit (MPU) coupled to an alternator and an auxiliary power unit (APU) configured to provide power to one or more hotel loads of the vehicle comprises: a controller with computer readable instructions stored in non-transitory memory executable to initiate operation of the APU in response to a drain load being applied to a battery of the vehicle that will deplete the battery to a state of charge (SOC) level that is less than a determined SOC threshold level in less time than a determined period, and the MPU is not in operation.